News

It was a very busy sale day last week, with hundreds of eager bidders online and in the saleroom.

We had quite a few good ivory pieces in the auction, thanks to the change in the law which was due to come into force at the end of October, preventing the sale of most ivory items. They included this exquisite Meiji period Mughal-style ivory elephant decorated in Shibayama style with semi-precious stones, which sold for £3,000 and four Taisho period Japanese ivory figures, which sold for £460. The change in the law has now been delayed and will not be brought in before April 2019.

Our paintings section performed very well, with this beautiful watercolour fan design by Xavier Della Gatta (1777-1829) bringing £1,650, a Harold Riley pastel of a street scene with steps and black dog selling for £1,200, an impasto acrylic on canvas of St Paul de Vence by C R D'Oyly-John, fetching £520 and a pen, ink and watercolour wash, 'Cabaret Night' by Pat Cook (1935-2000) selling for £360.

Our maritime sections also did well, with this rare White Star Line Spode Copelands plate selling for £460, a late 19th century scrimshaw whale tooth, decorated with engraved coconut tree to one side and a Victorian lady in bonnet and dress bringing £400, an Illinois Watch Company brass gimbal-mounted deck watch fetching £380 and a Swedish ship's bell from 'The Bullaren', a cargo ship and WWII troop carrier selling for £250.

The highlight of our Transport section was this 60 Class diesel locomotive name plate 'Great Gable', which sold for £1,700 and elsewhere in the sale, a collection of documents relating to Squadron Leader J W Wright and 166 Squadron including Battle Orders, Operations Recrd Book etc. brought £580, a large shallow bowl by Julia Carter Preston sold for £480 and an early 20th century oak patented fifteen-drawer filing cabinet by Amberg brought £440.

Our next auction is Antiques and Collectors' Items with Rock, Pop & Film Memorabilia, on Wednesday 7th November 2018 at 10.00, with viewing on Tuesday 6th November from 10.00-20.00. The deadline for consignment for this auction is Wednesday 24th October.